ossessed the most commanding spirit, and the steak was
ordered. They then made themselves as comfortable as circumstances
would admit, and gradually fell into a general conversation about
the trial. It had been understood among them since they first came
together, that as a matter of etiquette the witnesses were not to
be asked what they had to say. Kenneby was not to divulge his facts
in plain language, nor Bridget Bolster those which belonged to her;
but it was open to them all to take a general view of the matter,
and natural that at the present moment they should hardly be able
to speak of anything else. And there was a very divided opinion on
the subject in dispute; Dockwrath, of course, expressing a strong
conviction in favour of a verdict of guilty, and Moulder being as
certain of an acquittal. At first Moulder had been very unwilling
to associate with Dockwrath; for he was a man who maintained his
animosities long within his breast; but Dockwrath on this occasion
was a great man, and there was some slight reflection of greatness
on the associates of Dockwrath; it was only by the assistance of
Dockwrath that a place could be obtained within the court, and, upon
the whole, it became evident to Moulder that during such a crisis as
this the society of Dockwrath must be endured.

"They can't do anything to one if one do one's best?" said Kenneby,
who was sitting apart from the table while the others were eating.

"Of course they can't," said Dockwrath, who wished to inspirit the
witnesses on his own side.

"It ain't what they do, but what they say," said Moulder; "and then
everybody is looking at you. I remember a case when I was young on
the road; it was at Nottingham. There had been some sugars delivered,
and the rats had got at it. I'm blessed if they didn't ask me
backwards and forwards so often that I forgot whether they was
seconds or thirds, though I'd sold the goods myself. And then the
lawyer said he'd have me prosecuted for perjury. Well, I was that
frightened, I could not stand in the box. I ain't so green now by a
good deal."

"I'm sure you're not, Mr. Moulder," said Bridget, who well understood
the class to which Moulder belonged.

"After that I met that lawyer in the street, and was ashamed to look
him in the face. I'm blessed if he didn't come up and shake hands
with me, and tell me that he knew all along that his client hadn't a
leg to stand on. Now I call that beautiful."

"Beautiful!" said K